Lady Lakers look to continue post-season success

JASONVILLE -- The 2009 Shakamak girls cross country team members are front row (from left) Megan Phipps, Erika Enstrom, Alison Miller, Cassandra Holdaway, Casey Fougerousse, Elise Miller, Brooklyn Samm and Sydney Weinzapfel. (By Travis David/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

"Our goals are pretty much the same as they have been over the last few years," Miller said. "We fell like we have the talent to win our conferences as well as the Greene County meet and we also want to advance out of our sectional."

The Lady Lakers will be seeking their fourth consecutive Tri-River Conference crown as well as their fourth straight regional appearance.

Bloomfield won the girls Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference title last year, with the Lady Lakers finishing as the runner-up.

Senior Casey Fougerousse will lead the Lady Lakers once again this season. Fougerousse has advanced to the semistate each of her first three seasons, and making a run at the state finals could be in her reach this season.

"Casey has put in a lot of miles this summer," Miller said. "She is probably in the best shape she has ever been in entering the season. She is really anxious to get the season started as am I for her."

Miller mentioned a pair of freshmen could be competing for the second and third spots on the team behind Fougerousse. Megan Phipps and Brooklyn Samm will both try and make the transition to a longer course of 3.1 miles at the high school level.

"They both have the potential to be our No. 2 and No. 3 runners," Miller said. "They are young and it will be a big step up for them from a shorter course in junior high. It will be a learning experience for them in the first several meets, but they both have worked really hard this summer."

Seniors Alison Miller, Ericka Enstrom and Cassandra Holdaway will also be competing for a spot in the Lady Lakers top five according to Miller.

Senior Sydney Weinzapfel and sophomore Elise Miller round out the eight-girl roster for the Lady Lakers harriers.

Weinzapfel is a newcomer to the sport and has impressed her coach in the early stages of the season.

"It is going to be interesting to see how well Sydney competes," Miller said. "She is new to the team this season and is really working hard."

Miller also mentioned she is pleased with having just eight runners this season.

"It's the perfect size," she said. "They are a good group of girls that have all worked hard all summer. Most of them have not missed a workout all summer.

She also mentioned having a smaller number creates more competition for the five spots that score in each meet.

"It takes five spots to score in a meet," Miller said. "And we have several girls that can compete for those top five spots."

The Lady Lakers will start their season on their home course on Tuesday, August 25 against Owen Valley, Brown County and North Vermillion.

Girls Cross Country Roster

Player Gr.

Coach: Kelly Miller.